STEVEN Tyler declared from the Hollywood Bowl stage on November 1 that Aerosmith is far from finished, directly responding to comedian Bill Burr’s earlier claim that the band’s two Los Angeles shows would be its last.
During the second of the California, Dream On: Aerosmith and Friends concerts, Tyler told the crowd: “So Bill Burr said these are our final shows, huh? Doesn’t he know that you can’t get rid of Aerosmith? In fact, at the end of the fucking world, there will only be cockroaches, Aerosmith, and, I guess, Bill Burr!”
Burr, who emceed both nights, had introduced the October 29 opener by calling the pair of performances “the final two shows in Aerosmith’s history.”
The remark came as the band wrapped its first full concerts since a 2023 vocal injury forced the cancellation of its Peace Out farewell tour and led to a 2024 retirement from the road.
No further tour dates have been announced and Tyler later reflected on the group’s 55-year run. Clearly, though, his onstage comments left open the possibility of more performances.
Aerosmith returned to the stage for on October 29 and November 1.
Burr served as emcee for both nights, while a rotating cast of guest artists performed covers of Aerosmith songs before the band closed each show with a short set of its own material.
On the opening night, Dave Grohl handled drums for most of Aerosmith’s six-song performance, Johnny Depp joined on guitar for one number, and founding drummer Joey Kramer returned for the finale, his first appearance with the group since 2020.
Guest performers on October 29 included Sully Erna, Warren Haynes, Billy Idol with Steve Stevens, Sammy Hagar, Heart, Eric Church, the Black Crowes and Guns N’ Roses, who mixed Aerosmith covers with some of their own hits.
The second night featured a revised lineup of guests that included Marcus King, Jerry Cantrell with Mike Inez and Ritchie Kotzen, Lzzy Hale with Tom Morello, Grace Potter, Pat Monahan, Heart, the Black Crowes, Guns N’ Roses and a reunion with Run-DMC.
Aerosmith’s set on November 1 expanded to seven songs, with John Douglas on drums for most of the performance and Joey Kramer again joining for the closing numbers.
Steven Tyler’s vocals were reported as strong throughout both shows and the band left the door open for possible future appearances rather than confirming these as final concerts.
A portion of proceeds from the events supported Tyler’s Janie’s Fund charity, and no further tour dates have been announced.
October 29 setlist (guests followed by Aerosmith):
Make It (Sully Erna); Lightning Strikes (Sully Erna); Lord of the Thighs (Warren Haynes); Walkin’ the Dog (Warren Haynes); Livin’ on the Edge (Billy Idol and Steve Stevens); Draw the Line (Sammy Hagar); Helter Skelter (Sammy Hagar); Never Loved a Man (Heart); Janie’s Got a Gun (Heart); Rag Doll (Eric Church); I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Eric Church); Let the Music Do the Talking (the Black Crowes); Write Me a Letter (the Black Crowes); Combination (the Black Crowes); No More No More (the Black Crowes); Chip Away the Stone (the Black Crowes); Nobody’s Fault (Guns N’ Roses); Last Child (Guns N’ Roses); Seasons of Wither (Guns N’ Roses); Welcome to the Jungle (Guns N’ Roses); Paradise City (Guns N’ Roses); Toys in the Attic (Aerosmith with Dave Grohl); Back in the Saddle (Aerosmith with Dave Grohl); Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith with Dave Grohl); Dream On (Aerosmith with Dave Grohl); Train Kept A-Rollin’ (Aerosmith with Dave Grohl and Johnny Depp); Walk This Way (Aerosmith with Joey Kramer and John Douglas).
November 1 setlist (guests followed by Aerosmith):
Same Old Song and Dance (Marcus King); Draw the Line (Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez and Ritchie Kotzen); Nobody’s Fault (Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez and Ritchie Kotzen); Kings and Queens (Lzzy Hale and Tom Morello); Round and Round (Lzzy Hale and Tom Morello); Livin’ on the Edge (Billy Idol and Steve Stevens); What It Takes (Grace Potter); You See Me Crying (Pat Monahan); Angel (Pat Monahan); Cryin’ (Pat Monahan and Grace Potter); Janie’s Got a Gun (Heart); Barracuda (Heart); Let the Music Do the Talking (the Black Crowes); Get the Lead Out (the Black Crowes); Combination (the Black Crowes); No More No More (the Black Crowes); Chip Away the Stone (the Black Crowes); Mama Kin (Guns N’ Roses); S.O.S. (Too Bad) (Guns N’ Roses); Rats in the Cellar (Guns N’ Roses); Sick as a Dog (Guns N’ Roses); Sweet Child o’ Mine (Guns N’ Roses); Nightrain (Guns N’ Roses); Toys in the Attic (Aerosmith with John Douglas); Back in the Saddle (Aerosmith with John Douglas); Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith with John Douglas); Dream On (Aerosmith with John Douglas); Come Together (Aerosmith with John Douglas); Walk This Way (Aerosmith with Run-DMC, Joey Kramer and John Douglas); Train Kept A-Rollin’ (Aerosmith with John Douglas).
READ AND HEAR INTERVIEWS WITH DOZENS OF ARTISTS VIA OUR PATREON PAGE. EAVESDROP AS WE CHAT TO THE BIGGEST NAMES IN ROCK AND METAL – FROM 1987 TO THE PRESENT!
Features and stories:
Johnny Diesel and the Injectors
Johnny Diesel and the Injectors (1989)
Audio interviews:
Vivian Campbell | Def Leppard/Last In Line | 2016
Markus Grosskopf | Helloween | 2015
